The profile says her name is Zara. She's 27, works in "sustainable fashion," likes hiking and "cozy nights in." Her photos are breathtaking. She replies instantly, with warmth and wit. She remembers details from three messages ago. She has never existed.
Zara is one of an estimated 14 million AI-generated personas now active across major dating platforms in the United States alone โ a figure that independent research firm DatingData Analytics shared exclusively with SocialSeconds, and that represents a 900% increase from just 18 months ago.
The Platform Response
Hinge and Bumble both declined to comment on specific numbers but acknowledged the challenge in statements to SocialSeconds. Both platforms say they're deploying AI detection tools โ a somewhat ironic use of technology โ to identify and remove AI-generated accounts.
"We're in an arms race we didn't ask for," a senior Bumble engineer told us on condition of anonymity. "Every time we improve detection, the generation technology improves to evade it. It's whack-a-mole with stakes."
Estimated AI-generated dating profiles active in the US
Who Builds These Profiles?
The ecosystem is more sophisticated than a few bad actors. We identified at least six companies operating openly โ some charging $29/month for "AI companion" subscriptions, others operating as B2B services selling "engagement optimization" to dating apps themselves to boost apparent user activity. The ethical lines are blurry and, in most jurisdictions, the legal lines don't yet exist.